Generation of electric energy by high-speed turbine-generator sets

In industrial plants and gas networks it is frequently required to reduce pressure of steam or gas to a lower value. The pressure reduction is carried out in most cases by using special pressure reducing valves. The process of pressure reduction is associated with loss of energy. The research work described is aimed at utilizing the waste energy of pressure reduction by converting the mechanical energy of the working fluid into electric energy that can be utilized directly or fed back to the utility mains. The system developed consists of a turbine, a generator, a three phase AC/AC converter and a supervisory control. As a result of special construction, the turbine is insensitive to pollution in the working medium, thus it can be applied in any steam or gas network where continuous pressure reduction is needed. The return time on the investment is relatively short particularly in countries with high cost of electric energy. Calculated average return time on investment depending mainly on the working time of the system is between 1.5 and 3 years assuming a 50 to 90% utilization